Calcium Supplements: Benefits and Risks
Calcium is an essential mineral for human health playing a vital role in building bones and teeth. It is also involved in many other essential processes such as muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission.
Calcium can be obtained from a variety of dietary sources such as dairy products dark leafy greens nuts and seeds. However, some people may not get enough calcium from their diet and may turn to calcium supplements.
Benefits of Calcium Supplements
Calcium supplements offer a number of health benefits including
Improved heart health Calcium supplements may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels which can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Improved muscle health Calcium helps with muscle contraction which may help reduce muscle pain and improve athletic performance.
Improved nerve health Calcium is involved in many nerve functions such as nerve impulse transmission.
Despite their many health benefits calcium supplements can also cause some risks including
Constipation Calcium supplements can cause constipation especially at high doses.
Kidney stones Calcium supplements may increase the risk of kidney stones especially when taken with large amounts of protein.
Drug interactions Calcium supplements may interact with certain medications such as heart and blood pressure medications.
Tips for Taking Calcium Supplements
When taking calcium supplements it is important to follow these tips
Read the label carefully and follow the directions exactly.
Take calcium supplements with food to reduce the risk of constipation.
Do not take more than 2500 milligrams of calcium per day.
Conclusion
Calcium supplements can be beneficial to health but they should be taken with caution to avoid side effects.
